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Your Age-by-Age Guide to Weaning
When it comes to helping your kiddie kick the milk habit, the rule of thumb is to go slowly. This will protect your breasts from engorgement and ease your baby's anxiety. Freda Rosenfeld, former president of the New York Lactation Consultant Association, says you can never go too slowly, but be sure to drop only one feeding every three or four days so that it takes about two weeks for the entire process. Drop the least preferred feedings first, which likely means the morning and bedtime feedings will be the last to go.
Amp Up AttentionThe intimacy that goes with breastfeeding is what moms and babies miss most when nursing ends. So be sure to lavish your baby with lots of extra attention during the weaning process. "You'll want to substitute nursing with something that feels emotionally equivalent, like snuggling together to read or even horseplay on the floor," counsels Diane Bengson, author of How Weaning Happens (La Leche League International) and longtime Ohio La Leche League leader. And don't forget how helpful your partner can be. Having Daddy put the baby to sleep and wake her up in the morning can soften the blow of not nursing during these times.
Think About TimingIt's impossible to predict exactly how your child will react to weaning, but there are certain ages and developmental periods when change in general is tricky. Claire Lerner, LCSW, director of parenting resources at Zero to Three, in Washington, D.C., advises against weaning during a time when your child is undergoing another significant change, such as moving homes, starting daycare, or even learning to walk.
But, Lerner adds, timing depends on your child's temperament: "If you have a go-with-the-flow kind of child who handles transitions well, then something like a vacation might be a good time to wean, but otherwise it's best to wean when things are pretty stable in their lives."
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I feel annoyed by the article. I need to wean my son off formula, when I saw "age by age guide to weaning" and in the email it was talking about being done with bottles. Then I come to look for advice and it is all about breastfeeding. what about moms who are using formula and need to wean their baby off formula and bottles? I breastfed my first son and couldn't with my second due to medical reasons. Some people can't breastfeed and still need advice.
4/12/2011 09:17:43 AM Report AbuseThere is nothing wrong with tandem nursing
4/6/2011 03:06:10 PM Report AbuseI need to soon completely wean my 14 month old as I am pregnant again. I know I should do this before #2 comes along but we both love the connection. I have read where some toddlers wean themselves. At this time it is only nap time (if I am around), bedtime and at wake up. Other than that she is totally on solid food. I know all of the articles I read say that she should be drinking cows milk but she doesn't like it no matter how I disguise it. I have never been a big fan of it either.
4/6/2011 02:15:35 PM Report AbuseMy son is 15 months and very clingy. He is bottle fed due to my need for medications. The bottle is his way of holding on to that tender time with me. He just started walking last week, so I know it's time to make the bottle "disappear." But he refuses to hold a sippy cup himself (demands that I hold him and it like a bottle feeding.) If I don't he truly doesn't drink. His daycare provider can't get him to drink all day long. I'm afraid he'll dehydrate if I don't keep giving in.
4/6/2011 01:46:30 PM Report AbuseI would also appreciate adding more information on weaning past the age of 1 and 2 years of age, as those are the AAP and WHO suggested ages to breastfeed to.
4/6/2011 11:44:03 AM Report AbuseThis was not helpful to me. I'm still nursing my 2yr old who does not get distracted. He uses a sippy cup, has for a year or so, but still nurses 5-6 times a day. I'm not cutting him off cold. I had to with my oldest and it was so rough. I thought an age-by-age guide might include 2yr old and 3yr olds, but apparently you don't actually care. WHO say you nurse to age 2 and beyond if you can. It's sad to see suggestion of how to wean your 6mo old. Way to curb real thoughts with you char. limit.
4/6/2011 11:17:18 AM Report AbuseWell my daughter is almost 18 months and Im trying to wean her from the breast...she never took a bottle so I dont plan on giving her one at this age..but I dont know how to stop..lol..she is really attached and only wants me when shes tired..so naps and bedtime feeding only..I may have to have her dad put her to sleep instead of me..but its sooo hard..I want my boobs back
3/19/2011 05:47:41 PM Report Abusewith a breastfread baby they have to be giving a bottle between 2weeks and 4weeks and not by the monther by the farter or grandparent because a bf baby wont accept a bottle the first fwe times frome the monther and the monther needs to be out of sigh/smell of the baby. the 2weeks-4weeks is whats called the "magic window"
3/3/2011 09:39:12 PM Report AbuseI've been using both bottle with breast milk and nursing. I have also incorporated formula into this routine. My son is almost 6 months, i want to begin the process of weening from both breast and milk. He never had any issues drinking formula, but all of a sudden, all he wants is to be nursed. He is usually a go-with-the-flow kind of baby, but lately he only wants breast milk. Could this be anxiety and how should i handle the situation?
11/3/2010 02:44:18 PM Report AbuseThere are days when she won't let anyone else feed her as well. So I guess she still has it in her little mind that "mommy has the food" :)
7/14/2010 11:59:13 AM Report AbuseI was having the hardest time keeping up with my daughter who is now 3 months but I was determined and kept trying. Eventually she quit latching in the afternoon and would only take a bottle. In essence, she weaned herself and there was nothing I could do. After two weeks I could only breastfeed in the morning and bedtime. I have been done breastfeeding for about two weeks now. It is hard and I miss it but I enjoy being able to play with her more than just constantly feeding.
7/14/2010 11:58:38 AM Report AbuseHow old is to old for breastfeeding? I have a son who will be 2 next month and we're still breastfeeding. Is this ok?
6/17/2010 10:19:08 AM Report Abuseso that her teeth were not rubbing the sores..basically i had to lay with her to nurse bcus at times for us both to be comfortable she had to me upside down..it worked..i healed fast and havnt had anymore problems and like i said now she has 7 teeth total..im just wondering if ill ever wean her now..haha..goodluck to u my friend..and great job mommy!!xo
5/27/2010 10:21:00 AM Report Abusereply is for ivettegalvis...my daughter is 10months old now and ive been exclusily breastfeeding her since day one..she also refuses any bottles..i guess being as i enjoy nursing so much i dont really push it but so far she wont even try it out..she has 7 teeth three bottom and 4 on top..when the top two started to come down it was literally cutting me..i went to target and bought nipple gaurds..didnt work bcuz the nipple feels plastic she would not latch onto it at all.i had to reposition her..
5/27/2010 10:18:26 AM Report AbuseThese tips on weaning have helped me a lot but I couldn't find anyone who advised on what to do if your baby has teeth. My son has had 2 bottom teeth since he was 7months and now that the top teeth are fully out at 81/2 I'm truly feeling the pain. I've tried bottle feeding breast milk but he rejects bottles. I don't want to stop breastfeeding and pumping is out of the question anymore since my son hates the bottle. As soon as he feels Paci or bottle on his lips he throws a fit. Please Help
5/24/2010 03:08:06 PM Report AbuseWeaning my daugter was not difficult to me. i started exchanging bottle for breatsmilk twice a day to get her used to the formula. Then i gradually exchanged the formula till nightime and in the morning. Its the mose difficult time for moms because were not used to warming bottles.
4/14/2010 08:44:41 PM Report AbuseI have breastfed exclusively for 10 months now and am DREADING having to wean. I am ready to have my body back but we have a set routine and weaning is going to throw us for a loop! =) Thank you for all the great tips!!
2/17/2010 01:35:36 PM Report Abusei had trouble w/low milk supply from approx 3mo on. i went on reglan twice, i tried herbal supplements & we bought an electric pump. at 22 wks i started to supplement feedings trying to nurse then bottle feed. i never knew how much i was feeding my daughter while nursing - i started with a 4 oz bottle. i can't find ANYWHERE a guide to tell me how much to feed a 5 month old when transitioning from nursing to formula. she eats every 3-4 hrs.
12/28/2009 12:13:07 PM Report AbuseI wasn't producing enough milk for my daughter Declyn, so I had to supplement with formula early on. Luckily she adjusted very well to combo feeding right away. She's 3 months old now and I know once I decide to wean her, I may have more of a difficult time than she will. It truely is one of my most favorite things to do with her.
12/16/2009 12:01:34 PM Report AbuseMy son took to the sippy cup right away, but we both know that soon we are going to stop the nursing in about 3 months or so. It needs to be done but at the same time I do know that we will both miss out on that closeness, and I think with help from my husband we can do it.
11/25/2009 01:03:45 PM Report AbuseMy son Wyatt has always been on a bottle but will not go to a sippy cup! I have tried at least 7 different kinds of cups and spouts.
11/18/2009 01:10:30 PM Report AbuseJessica hates the bottle
10/29/2009 06:53:44 AM Report Abuse